Healthy Holidays: Five Tips for the Natural Traveler

Planning a vacation or business trip this holiday season? Consider packing a small kit of natural remedies before you go. Unfamiliar surroundings, unusual foods, and jet lag can make you vulnerable to viruses, stress, and gastrointestinal (GI) upset. Colorado Naturopathic Physician Michael Sutton suggests the following items:

1. Grapefruit Seed Extract: This extract fights and prevents viruses and helps reduce symptoms of diarrhea and GI upset. It can even be used to decontaminate water (4-5 drops extract per quart of water). A few days before you leave, mix 4-5 drops with juice or water and drink it before bedtime, and continue for the duration of your trip. If you do catch a cold or flu, you can drink as much as 8-10 drops, 3-4 times a day.

2. Airborne: Available in natural products stores, Airborne is an effervescent tablet containing herbs, antioxidants, vitamin C, and amino acids. It helps prevent and fight colds, as well as motion sickness, when traveling.

3. Melatonin: To ease jet lag, Sutton suggests leaving your watch set for the time zone from which you're departing. When your watch shows your normal bedtime, take 3-6mg of melatonin, then go to sleep to regulate yourself quickly and easily to the new time zone.

4. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy: To calm nerves and reduce anxiety, place a few drops of this remedy under your tongue when you're feeling anxious, or add 5-6 drops to your water bottle and drink throughout the day.

5. Water: H2O is essential to healthy travel. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, as dehydration is a major cause of travel-related illness.

By packing a few natural remedies and paying attention to your body's needs, you'll be able to fully enjoy your trip.

Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza between the Post Office and Round Table Pizza.  More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.

Survive Cold and Flu Season: Take Preventive Remedies Now

As the days get shorter and colder, the annual cold and flu season surely can’t be far behind. But this winter, it’s not going to get you—right? Assembling a natural tool kit now will ensure you’re prepared to prevent and self-treat the common cold and influenza. First, choose the most effective, science- based natural remedies; then pay close attention to how much to take and when.

Boost Immunity

Start by reducing your risk of getting the common cold or flu, or at least minimizing the symptoms. 

     Vitamin D. Researchers believe wintertime susceptibility to the flu and colds may be related to less sunlight exposure and lower vitamin D production. Vitamin D regulates several germ-fighting immune factors, and recent studies show supplementing with D can cut the risk of contracting the flu. Dose: 2,000 IU daily during fall and winter, or up to 4,000 IU if recommended by your health care provider after blood testing.

     N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This potent antioxidant boosts the body’s response to infection. In one study, Italian researchers found that seniors taking NAC had flu antibodies in their blood, so had been infected with the flu, but they exhibited virtually no symptoms. Dose: 600 mg twice daily, or up to several grams daily of you do catch a cold.

      Echinacea. An analysis of14 studies published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that this popular traditional herb does help fight the common cold. And University of Connecticut researchers noted that Echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold b6 58 percent and helped speed recovery among those who did catch one. Dose: Consult your natural products retailer to help you choose a standardized Echinacea extract and then follow label directions.

Find Relief

Be ready to aggressively fight a cold or flu on the first day you notice any symptoms, as sneezing or body aches. Fast action on your part can suppress viral replication and also modulate your immune-system response, which is responsible for many of the uncomfortable symptoms.

     Zinc lozenges. In an analysis of 1,360 people in 15 studies, researchers reported that zinc lozenges reduce the length of colds and symptoms if people start taking them within 24 hours of their first cold symptoms. Zinc may work by inhibiting the growth of cold viruses. Dose: As a general rule, suck on one 13-mg lozenge every two to three hours.

     Vitamin C.  Although vitamin C may not reduce your chances of contracting a cold or fu, research indicates it can reduce an infection’s symptoms and length. Dose: Aim for 2,000-6,000 mg daily in divided doses; reduce dose if digestive upset results. If you have a sensitive tummy, opt for the gentler Ester-C form.

     Elderberry. Antioxidant-rich elderberry extract can significantly reduce flu symptoms, including fever. According to The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 90 percent of the people in a 40-person study experienced a “complete cure” within two to three days. Dose: Opt for sugar-free elderberry syrup, and follow label directions.

     Homeopathy. If you feel achy, try Oscillococcinum (pronounced) os-sil-uh-cox-suh-num), a homeopathic remedy that can ease flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. Studies found significant symptom reduction after two days of taking the remedy, and a skeptical medical review acknowledged results were “promising.” Dose: Follow label directions for use.

Recovery

You may be able to reduce your supplements doses after a few days, but be careful. If your symptoms recur, you may be suffering from a temporary deficiency and need to maintain a relatively high vitamin C intake. To fight flu-related fatigue, consider adding coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, vitamin-like nutrients that naturally enhance energy productions.

Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza between the Post Office and Round Table Pizza.  More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.

Easing Holiday Angst: Five Stress Busters for a Joyous Season

You enter the holiday season with the best of intentions—looking forward to time spent with family and friends, decorating, shopping, baking. But as soon as you pile holiday activities on top of an already busy life, you're likely to find yourself relating more to Ebineezer Scrooge than Martha Stewart.

Consider these five suggestions to keep holiday stress at bay:

1. Determine a Shopping Budget: For many, gift giving is an important part of the holidays, serving as a way to express love and appreciation for friends and family. But when the credit card bills arrive in January, you may discover you've extended your holiday stress well into the New Year. Plan your budget in advance, determine what you can spend, and stick to the plan.

2. Create a Time Budget: Many will make a shopping budget, but what about making a time budget? Before accepting every invitation this year, decide ahead how many parties you can and want to attend while maintaining your sanity. Make choices about your time commitments based on what you'd really like to do this year, rather than what you think you should do or what you've always done. Don't forget to leave time for yourself.

3. Set Food-Intake Boundaries: You'll likely be tempted to eat in excess, and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't stick to your pre-holiday eating standards. But do decide ahead of time just how much you'll deviate from your eating routine.

4. Stick to Your Exercise Regimen: Regular exercise is a powerful stress buster. You'll feel better, sleep better, avoid weight gain, boost your immune system, and maintain a positive outlook about yourself. While it may seem like an easy time concession to make, don't give in to the idea. Stick to exercise, and you'll thank yourself for it.

5. Take Time to Rest: Take time from your schedule to honor the cycles of the season. The holidays fall during winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year. Learn from nature, and get plenty of rest.

Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza between the Post Office and Round Table Pizza.  More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.

Boost Your Immune System: Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Fights Infection

Does your immune system work overtime? If so, you might want to give it a boost by seeing a massage therapist or bodyworker trained in lymphatic drainage therapy. This technique can boost your immunity by increasing the production of antibodies, stimulating circulation, moving congestion out of the body, and reducing swelling, especially after surgery.

The lymphatic system supports our body's immune function and involves several organs, glands, and tissues, hundreds of lymph nodes, and a network of vessels. A clear lymph fluid flows through these vessels and carries the metabolic waste (bacteria, dead cells, fats, fluids, proteins, and viruses) to the lymph nodes, where it is filtered. These nodes often swell when we are sick.

The lymphatic drainage techniques used by massage therapists and bodyworkers gently stimulate lymph nodes, help correct swelling and stagnation in those nodes, reduce local fluid retention, boost the overall immune system, and provide relaxation. As an essential tool in the treatment of lymphedema (excess lymphatic fluid), this therapy is often applied postoperatively and can be especially beneficial for breast cancer patients.

Administering this treatment requires advanced training and is performed with gentle, massage-like strokes. There should be no discomfort involved, in fact, you may feel you are hardly being worked on at all.

After your lymphatic drainage treatment, it's possible you could feel some mild, flu-like symptoms, depending on how much strain your body has been under prior to treatment. This strain may be due to environmental pollutants, medication, and diet. Most people leave a session simply feeling relaxed, but if you don't feel at the top of your game, drink plenty of water, limit your salt intake, and stay physically active.

Lymphatic drainage is one way to give your wellness a boost in a busy world that makes many demands on your immune system.

Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist who owns La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza between the Post Office and Round Table Pizza.  More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.

Reiki Touch Therapy: A Kinder, Gentler Approach to Healing

Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The technique was developed in Japan and is administered by the laying on of hands. It is based on the idea that all living things have a special energy flowing through them called life energy. When your life energy is high, you'll feel strong and confident, be more relaxed and centered and less likely to get sick. When it is low, you'll often feel tired, be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. 

Reiki is a Japanese word that comes from two words: Rei and ki. In the Japanese language, these words can mean different things depending on how they are used and how they are combined with other words. When they are used together for the practice of healing, the word Rei means universal spirit, Higher Power or God. The word ki refers to the life energy that flows through all living things. Therefore, Reiki means life energy that is guided by God. Some also feel this is just another way of saying Holy Spirit. 

A Reiki treatment is a way of increasing your life energy. A practitioner will transmit Reiki to the client through the hands. The hands are lightly placed on or near the body in various positions around the head, shoulders, stomach and feet. Sometimes a practitioner will also treat above the body. 

A treatment can feel like a warm glowing radiance that flows through the body. It is a very relaxing experience and some clients report the body feeling heavy as it relaxes and yet the spirit or emotions feeling light at the same time. A treatment will usually release negative feelings or thoughts leaving the client feeling more positive, light hearted and with feelings of well-being. 

Healing often takes place and people have reported recovery from minor things like headache, stomachache, bee stings etc., but also major illnesses have been affected with some people recovering from heart disease, cancer, leukemia, to name a few. While almost everyone experiences relaxation and improvements of various kinds, healing results cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that if one has an illness or other medical or psychological condition that in addition to getting Reiki treatments, clients also consult a licensed physician or other licensed health care professional as Reiki works well in conjunction with all medical or psychological care.  

Devada Rammell is a Holistic Health Practitioner, licensed Massage Therapist, and Reiki practitioner who owns La Vida Sana Wellness, located in the Escondido Hills shopping plaza between the Post Office and Round Table Pizza. More information about her services can be found online at www.LaVidaSanaWellness.com.

Healthy Aging and Your Skin: Trends & Treatments for Baby Boomers

by Pamela Miller

With more than 70 million baby boomers in the United States poised to join the ranks of those aged 65 and older in coming years, this generation has embraced a new twist on aging gracefully. These individuals don't think of themselves as old, and in many respects, they are not, at least not in the same sense their parents were after they passed the 65-year mark.

A State of Mind
In addition to wanting to remain vital and active, boomers are increasingly expressing a desire to look as young as they feel. Many boomers are turning to minimally invasive procedures to avoid the downtime and drastic changes in appearance associated with plastic surgery. Almost miraculously, it's possible to look much younger than one's years, since modern health care is helping ward off life-shortening disease at a tremendous rate. The result is a growing population expected to live longer than any generation before and to look better doing it.

One of the first indicators of overall health and how gracefully someone is aging is the condition of someone's skin. Take the backs of the hands, for example. The increasingly noticeable and enlarging veins and so-called age spots are some of the first telltale signs of aging.

Vitality at Any Age
John Roseby, executive spa director at the famous Arizona-based spa, Canyon Ranch, says skin care, massage, and bodywork are part of their wellness philosophy.

"Health and vitality at any age is one of our core messages and one we believe in passionately," he says. "Regular skin care programs allow vibrant health to shine from deep within."

Anne Williams, esthetician and director of education at Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, agrees and says a spa is an excellent place to treat the entire body. "Massage improves the appearance and condition of skin, and tones muscle tissue, thanks to improved local circulation."

With age and inactivity, circulation slows and skin becomes pale and cold. "Massage has a stimulating cellular function in the hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis," says Sharon Puszko, director of DayBreak Geriatric Massage Institute. "Touch nurtures, relaxes, and heals, as well as stimulates and activates."

Ultimately, Williams says, one of the greatest benefits of any type of skin care and bodywork treatment is the ability it gives you to reconnect. "You re-experience your body. When you're in your body, you own it in a different way. You care about it in a different way."

Skin's Graceful Aging
Proper skin care can help ward off signs of aging. Here are some healthful skin care tips for caring for maturing skin.

Protect Your Skin: The most important thing you can do for your skin, Williams says, is to consistently use sunscreen. Whether skiing the Colorado Rockies, swimming the Pacific Ocean, or just walking to your car for a lunch break, sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine, as sun damage is the number one cause of prematurely aged skin. Consider buying makeup or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher to ensure constant protection. To protect you from the full range of ultraviolet rays, look for products containing at least one of these ingredients: avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.

Keep it Moist: Depending on where you live, you may not give much credence to moisturizer use, but experts say it is a critical piece of the puzzle for great skin. Avoid traditional grocery store finds in favor of a more targeted moisturizing product, preferably one recommended by your esthetician. If you spend money on anything, Williams says, spend it on a good moisturizer. A gentle cleanser (no bar soap on the face, ever, she says) and an alcohol-free toner will round out a simple, yet effective skin care plan. In general, it's a good idea to stick with one product line since products are usually designed to work together.

Don't Overdo It: In our zeal to clean our skin, we often overdo it. Just as you shouldn't exfoliate too often (no more than once a week), you should also avoid over scrubbing your face, even with just water and a washcloth. Your skin is fragile, treat it as such. It pays to leave the serious exfoliation to an expert esthetician and go gently on your skin at home.

Watch What You Eat: The healthier you eat, the better your skin will look. This means natural, unprocessed foods with high antioxidant and vitamin contents (in other words, fruits and vegetables). Strive to replace processed breads and cereals with whole-grain alternatives that contain fiber. Eliminate or go easy on caffeine and sugar. Many believe drinking plenty of water will keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Talk to the Experts: Williams says working with a skin care professional will help establish a good base of knowledge about how to care for your skin. Having an expert who knows you and your history will help address changes going forward. For example, if you change climates, your skin's needs will change as well. The same is true with the seasons.

The seasons of your life will bring yet more changes to your skin care needs. Talking to an expert will help guide you through those changes and give you proactive self-care steps. Growing older doesn't have to mean growing old.

Pamela Miller is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in skincare. She is the owner of Professional Aesthetic Solutions in Escondido, California.

A Peek Into Peels

Chemical peels have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Once a strictly medical procedure, peels entered the beauty industry in the 1980s as a way to rejuvenate aging skin, smooth lines, even out skin tone, fade dark spots, minimize enlarged pores, improve acne, and generally promote healthier skin.

Technically speaking, the peels offered in spas and salons across the country aren't really peels, but are a kind of resurfacing that many refer to as chemical exfoliation. Deeper peels are considered medical procedures because of how deeply they penetrate skin and are done by medical care providers. These peels use much more potent chemicals and are substantially more expensive, costing several hundred dollars.

Chemical exfoliation, a treatment you can receive from your esthetician, involves applying one or more acids to facial skin to remove the outermost layer. In general, chemical exfoliation involves the use of alpha hydroxy acids, which are naturally found in foods. The most common are glycolic acid that is derived from sugar cane, and lactic acid from sour milk. These acids have a long track record of treating dry skin and hyperpigmentation, and of reversing the effects of aging. Another frequently used substance is salicylic acid. Derived from the bark of the willow tree, it is an oil-grabber that helps unclog pores.

After a chemical exfoliation, you must take good care of your skin or risk developing dark patches. Skin will be especially sensitive to sunburn for about a week after the peel, so sunscreen is a must, even on cloudy days. Other potential side effects include flaking or scabbing.

Not everyone is a good candidate for chemical exfoliation. Dark-skinned and olive-toned individuals are at greater risk for scarring. Some medications and medical conditions, like pregnancy or autoimmune disorders, may preclude you from this treatment.

Interested in getting a facial or a peel? Convenient online booking available at ProAestheticSolutions.com.